President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday directed the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to help repair the water system in Catanduanes, which was devastated by Typhoon Rolly over the weekend.

“I’m directing LWUA to help. Go there and repair. Help repair the water system. Have it function — well, to function immediately,” President Duterte said during a situation briefing with other government officials in response to the disaster.

“Walang tubig ‘yung mga tao doon. So let it not be a thing just to be talking about. I want to know if there is somebody there already working on it,” he added.

Catanduanes was badly hit by Typhoon Rolly after the weather disturbance made the first landfall on the island province on Sunday.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Catanduanes has reported five deaths and four injuries. There are around 15,000 affected families, 10,000 totally damaged houses and 3,000 partially damaged.

The province still has no water supply and residents rely on deep wells. Electricity and telecommunication services are also down, according to OCD.

Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, the administrator of the OCD, said the province only has 8,000 family food packs available and it is requesting for additional food supply.

Catanduanes is also asking for GI sheets and immediate supply of potable water. Jalad said they are considering the inclusion of bottled water to be delivered through Air Force’s C-130 flights Tuesday. PND